Because the bear was "chemically immobilized," during hunting season, state policy required the animal to be put down, Massachusetts Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs spokeswoman Amy Mahler said in a statement.

It is currently black bear hunting season in Vermont and New Hampshire.

Massachusetts Environmental Police also have an agreement with the Department of Fish and Wildlife that no bear which has been tranquilized will be released within 45 days of Massachusetts' hunting season, which starts Nov. 4.

"The immobilization drugs still in the animal’s system are potentially lethal to humans if the bear were released and shot by a hunter for consumption," Mahler said.

The bear, which was eventually caught after climbing a tree, drew a crowd of spectators to downtown Athol Thursday morning, according to police.

Athol Police Sgt. Richard Aucoin said Thursday the assembled crowd made capturing the bear a must.

"If it wasn't for the spectators the bear would have probably just wandered off," Aucoin said.